In 1955 most WA surfboard riders were breakaway members of SLSC clubs and rode 14-16ft Toothpick plywood surfboards.
Surfing was in its infancy, long before the advent of fibreglass surfboards, wetsuits, surfboard leashes, and surf reports. Surfers would tackle the waves on their long, heavy Toothpick boards, often dressed in footy jumpers and using makeshift leg ropes, if any were used at all. Their lives revolved around the beach, footy, rugby, and social gatherings,
The pioneers were keen and chased waves at Metro, Mandurah, and Yallingup surf breaks.
At that time, WA had no surfboard industry; plywood boards or surf skis came from boat builders or were made at home.
The introduction of Malibu surfboards in Australia in 1956, brought by the US and Hawaiian surf teams for an International Surf Carnival on the East Coast, marked a significant turning point. These smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable boards revolutionized the sport, paving the way for a new era of surfing.
Organized surf contests and state champions were non-existent until the WA Surf Riders Association (WASRA) came into existence in 1964.
Pre 1955 Photos
1948 Surfing Cable Station Cottesloe. Water pic by Don Bancroft.
1954 City Beach Board Club surfboard display at Miami. Courtesy Miami News.
1950s Rice’s Tea Rooms at Miami Beach Mandurah. Photo John Budge.
1954 Ray Geary with his plywood ‘Jasper’ surfboard at City Beach. Photo Ray Geary.
1955 Photos
1955 Ray Geary’s Essex ‘Super six’ with wooden boards on the roof at Wembley. Mark Whittome, Barry Gallon & Ray Geary. Photo Ray Geary.
1955 Ray Geary & Rob Wakefield with Rob’s 16’6 toothpick board at Wembley. Photo Ray Geary.
1955 Ray Geary head stand at City Beach north side of Groyne. Photo Ray Geary.
1955 John Budge with 16ft toothpick board at City Beach. Photo John Budge.
1950s City Beach. Ron Drage & Dave Williams with 16ft racing toothpick surfboards. Photo John Budge.
1955 Surfers Yallingup beach inc’s Bernie Huddle centre, Howard Kent 2nd right & Ian Strongman right. Photo John Budge.
1955 Keith Kino resting in hammock listening to jazz music on wind up gramophone Yallingup Beach. Photo John Budge.
1955 Empty line-up main breakYallingup. Photo John Budge.
Bonus pic
1956 Ray Geary’s home made 24ft plywood four man surfboard in action at Scarborough. Image courtesy West Australian Newspapers.
Memories from 70 years ago
In 1955 most WA surfboard riders were breakaway members of SLSC clubs and rode 14-16ft Toothpick plywood surfboards.
Surfing was in its infancy, long before the advent of fibreglass surfboards, wetsuits, surfboard leashes, and surf reports. Surfers would tackle the waves on their long, heavy Toothpick boards, often dressed in footy jumpers and using makeshift leg ropes, if any were used at all. Their lives revolved around the beach, footy, rugby, and social gatherings,
The pioneers were keen and chased waves at Metro, Mandurah, and Yallingup surf breaks.
At that time, WA had no surfboard industry; plywood boards or surf skis came from boat builders or were made at home.
The introduction of Malibu surfboards in Australia in 1956, brought by the US and Hawaiian surf teams for an International Surf Carnival on the East Coast, marked a significant turning point. These smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable boards revolutionized the sport, paving the way for a new era of surfing.
Organized surf contests and state champions were non-existent until the WA Surf Riders Association (WASRA) came into existence in 1964.
Pre 1955 Photos
1948 Surfing Cable Station Cottesloe. Water pic by Don Bancroft.
1954 City Beach Board Club surfboard display at Miami. Courtesy Miami News.
1950s Rice’s Tea Rooms at Miami Beach Mandurah. Photo John Budge.
1954 Ray Geary with his plywood ‘Jasper’ surfboard at City Beach. Photo Ray Geary.
1955 Photos
1955 Ray Geary’s Essex ‘Super six’ with wooden boards on the roof at Wembley. Mark Whittome, Barry Gallon & Ray Geary. Photo Ray Geary.
1955 Ray Geary & Rob Wakefield with Rob’s 16’6 toothpick board at Wembley. Photo Ray Geary.
1955 Ray Geary head stand at City Beach north side of Groyne. Photo Ray Geary.
1955 John Budge with 16ft toothpick board at City Beach. Photo John Budge.
1950s City Beach. Ron Drage & Dave Williams with 16ft racing toothpick surfboards. Photo John Budge.
1955 Surfers Yallingup beach inc’s Bernie Huddle centre, Howard Kent 2nd right & Ian Strongman right. Photo John Budge.
1955 Keith Kino resting in hammock listening to jazz music on wind up gramophone Yallingup Beach. Photo John Budge.
1955 Empty line-up main breakYallingup. Photo John Budge.
Bonus pic
1956 Ray Geary’s home made 24ft plywood four man surfboard in action at Scarborough. Image courtesy West Australian Newspapers.
A big thank you to the photo contributors.
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